By Dustin Cabeal

I told you I would be back for this review. Sink is by far one of the best series I’ve read this year. It is not for the faint of heart as the violence is at times horrific. It is almost as if John Lees is carving out a new style of horror, a style that’s frightening realistic and yet not in a throwback way. It’s not like Rob Zombie’s movies in which you have to ignore any sense of modernism and transport yourself to a bygone era. No, instead it’s insanely realistic and modern making it just so frightening. Also, goddamn clowns, not in this issue, but in general.

This standalone story is about a cleaner. She’s a woman you call when you need a body to be rid of without the involvement of the police. The opening is brilliant as a couple has had an “accident” involving a young man they’ve brought home for some sexy business. Sharon, our cleaner, is cold and mean to them as they attempt to act innocent as if because of where they live and who they are, they could never do something as horrible as murder. The catch is that as Sharon leaves with the body, she discovers the boy ain’t dead! What to do, what to do.

What’s tremendous about this story is the conversations are natural feeling. Scott, the deadish guy, has a moment of clarity. He knows he’s fucked in so many ways, but it’s almost as if he’s either the son that Sharon never had or at the very least the possibility of a better life. One that Sharon wants, but isn’t sure she deserves or could enjoy.

Alex Cormack’s artwork continues to be stunning. There is this scene that I will try not to spoil, but it’s essentially Sharon in the middle of an action, but she’s become frozen by Scott’s words. She’s been moved, and it’s a powerful image. I want to spoil it so badly, but it is the best panel of the entire issue so I won’t. The line work continues to be gritty, realistic and frightening overall. Working in tandem with Lees, Cormack makes this a frightening world to visit.

The trick to this issue is that there are several twists, one of which I can discuss, others that I can’t. Makes the review a bit short, but trust me, the journey is worth it on this issue. It’s a comic that you’ll want to discuss spoilers with friends. Sink continues to be one of the best series I’ve read in a good long time and one of the best of 2017.